Lakeport, CA Dishwasher Repair

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Tips & Advice

No, a dishwasher does not have to be full to go through a washing cycle. It can be partially full, or empty, and still run through the wash cycle if started.

What is the most energy efficient time of day for using a dishwasher?

The most energy efficient time to run a dishwasher is night-time, which is categorized as “off-peak” hours by energy companies and will generally afford you a substantial savings in electricity costs. While the specific off-peak hours vary, you’re safe to assume 9 p.m.-7 a.m.—although if you want to be sure, you can ask your energy company.

Are there any types of dishes which should not be washed in a dishwasher?

There are many types of dishes that should not be washed in a dishwasher. Fine china and crystal are generally too delicate to risk going into a machine. Hand painted or gold leaf detail can come right off, and crystal will simply break.
Wood utensils and cutting boards should not go in, because being subjected to hot water and for so long tends to warp the wood. Copper pots and pans will make it through just fine, but their beautiful sheeny surfaces may dull. And, finally, though you can certainly put jars and bottles with labels through the dishwasher, the labels will probably come off after just one cycle.

What is the best way to stack dishes in a dishwasher?

The best way to stack dishes in a dishwasher is to place them so that they can drain, and not be touching or overlapping in a way that prevents detergent or water spray from reaching them. Never block the spray arms or the detergent chamber. The most important rule used to be loading plates and pans so the soiled side would face the water spray, but, with newer models of dishwashers, the water comes from all angles, so positioning toward the center spray isn’t a priority. Likewise, you don’t have to load glasses on the top anymore—though you should load plastics on top, as far as possible from the air heater.

Is it necessary to pre-rinse dishes before placing them in a dishwasher?

It is not necessary to pre-rinse dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. In fact, many experts say you should not do so, because it can decrease the potency of the dishwasher detergent (which works by sticking onto food particles). Also, the latest-model dishwashers have “clean sensor” technology, and rinsed dishes might confuse the sensors.

How long does an average wash-cycle take?

Dishwasher cycles don’t necessarily have a consistent average time, and it confuses people. The cycle times vary according to the settings, and older machines tend to have a much quicker cycle than newer ones. A wash cycle may take anywhere from 1-4 hours. With newer machines, 2 hours is an average cycle--the extended cycle time is due to Energy Star compliance guidelines. The cycle may be extended by newer features like “hot start” water, or extended wash time for heavy-duty loads.

What is the most common problem with dishwashers?

The most common problems with dishwashers are water-spotted or cloudy glassware, dishes that don’t come out entirely clean, dishes not drying completely, and detergent residue on dishes. Most of these issues can be solved by finding the right brand of detergent and ensuring that dishes are being loaded correctly. Also make sure the chamber where the detergent is loaded is clean and dry before you start the cycle.
Other common problems include dishwasher not filling or draining properly, leaking, not starting, or simply being noisy. All these problems have basic troubleshooting steps that might provide easy fixes before requiring professional repair service.

Are water spots a sign that a dishwasher needs to be serviced?

Water spots are usually not a sign that a dishwasher needs to be serviced. Spots, or “stains” are more likely a sign that your water is “hard,” or high in mineral content, and that the detergent you’re using is unable to remove the hard water buildup. Changing to a detergent that is formulated for hard water will likely solve the issue.

What causes a dishwasher to not drain completely?

The most common reasons for a dishwasher not to drain are a blocked drain hose, a clogged drain basket, or blockage of the lower pump (the one that drains water). These can all be quickly taken care of without calling a professional. In kitchens where the garbage disposal uses the same drain pump as the dishwasher, the dishwasher might not be draining because the garbage disposal needs to be run.

Which type of dishwasher detergent is best?

Because so many brands of dishwasher detergent are on the market, and many are created quite similarly, there’s no definitive answer for what type is best. However, if you are noticing a cloudy effect on glassware, or water spots on dishes that come out of the dishwasher, buy a detergent brand that is formulated to remove hard water residue.